Air gauge



F.- STICKEL AIR GAUGE Jan. 4, 1927.

Filed Dec. 26, 1924 ATTORNEY WITNESS:

Patented Jan.. 4, 1927.

` Unirse stares.

Alt GAUGE.

Application filed December 26, 1924. Serial No. 758,226.'

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in air gauges and more particularly to an air gauge which is used for registering air pressure under various conditions. The main object of my invention is the provision of an air gauge operated by air under pressure whereby the pressure of the air may be quickly and readily ascertained.

Another object of my invention is the provision of an air gauge which may be used in an air pump line for designating the pressure of air being pumped and also may be used equally as well for testing the air pressure in pneumatic tires. v

A further object of my invention is the provision of an air gauge wherein the pressure of the air operates spring pressed members and novel means is provided for taking up the tension of these springs in accordance Y with the wear thereon.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel features of construction, the combination and ar rangement of parts hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in the claims and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section taken through my improved air gaugey parts of the same being illustrated in elevation,

Fig. 2 is a sectional view'through the casing illustrating parts of the device in elevation,

Fig. 3 is a detail, vertical, sectional view partly in elevation illustrating another form of my invention, and

Fig. 4 is a section illustrating a modified detail.

In carrying out my invention, I provide a cylindrical casing 1 and formed integral with this casing are sleeves 2 and 8 arranged on opposite sides of the casing as shown in Figure 1. The sleeve 3 projects considerably beyond the outer wall of the casing 1 and has a restricted opening 4 through which is inserted a flexible tube 5, the inner closedl endof which abutsagainst a plunger 6 which is mounted for reciprocating movement within the sleeve 3.

Threaded upon the lower end portion 6 of the sleeve 3 is a retaining nut 7 serving in its principal capacity to clamp the flange 22 between itself and the flange 8.. lThis retaining nut has a central passage 8 formed therein in alignment with the interior 9 of the tube 5 for receiving theouter end por'- tion of a valve stem (not shown) for depressing the valve stem to permit escape of air from the pneumatic tube vinto the inf terior of the tube 5.

Aarranged within the sleeve 3 and enclosing the tube 5 is an expansion spring 7 the inner end of which is attached to the plunger 6 while the outer end thereof bears against the annularI flange 8 formed in the outer end of the sleeve 3.

, Connected to the plunger 6 is a rack bar 9, the upper end of which extends up through the .sleeve 2 and has a plunger 10 thereon which is mounted for reciprocating movement within the sleeve 2. The inward movement of the plunger 10 is limited to the end of the sleeve by means of an inturned flange 11 against which the plunger 10 abuts as shown in Figure 1.

rlhe outer end of the sleeve 2 is internally threaded as shown at 12 and engaged therewith is the threaded reduced portion 13 of the adjustable cap 14. rlhe bore 15 within the cap 14 is adapted to receive the upper end of the rack bar 9 which proj ects'through an opening 16 at the outer end of the cap 14 so that the upper end of the rack bar may be .slidably mounted within the sleeve 2 and cap 14..

Arranged within the sleeve 2 and cap 14 is a compression spring 17 which normally bears againstv the plunger 10 in order to retain the same against the annular flange 11. As shown in ligure 1, the spring 7 serves to support the tube 5 in a vertical position with its closed end portion 10 in abutting relation with the plunger 6 when the plunger is in its lowermost position within the sleeve 3.

Extending transversely through the casing is a shaft 18 upon which is mounted a pinion 19, ,the outer end of the shaft carrying an indicator 2() which moves over the graduatedv face 21. rlfhe pinion 19 is adapted to mesh with the `rack bar -9 `whereby upon movement of the rack bar within the casing 1, the indicator 2O will bemoved over the graduated face 21. Attention is directed to Figure 1 wherein it will be noted that the Ytuber 5 is retained in Josition b havino an annularrfiange 22 formed around its outer end and secured in any suitable manner to the annular flange 8 on the sleeve 3, thus,

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when the tube 5 is expanded it will prevent the outer end thereof from being .drawn into the sleeve.

In operating my improved device, the air pressure line is connected to the outer end of the sleeve 3, the air pressure passing into the tube 5 and expanding the same longitudinally of the' sleeve 3. This movement expanding the spring 7 and contracting the spring 17, also reciprocating the plunger 6 in the sleeve 3 and the plunger l() in the sleeve 2, which movement will cause the raclr bar 9 to rotate the shaft 13 through its engagement with the pinion 19 for moving the indicator 2O over the graduated dial 2l. From this it will be apparent that as soon as the air pressure is released, and the tension removed from the two springs '7 and 17, .the plungerswill return to their normal positions moving the indicator back to the Zero mark on the dial.

In Figure 3, l have illustrated a slightly modified form of my invention wherein the casing l has a sleeve 23 extending from one side thereof and provided with an angular retaining sleeve 24 at Vits outer end. rl"he sleeve 24 in the present instance is held in operative relation with the sleeve 23 by reason of frictional engagement between these sleeves. This sleeve 24 has an inwardly eX- tending flange which supports the enlarged end head portion of the tube 26, the inner end of the tube abutting against the plunger This plunger 27 is connected as an integral part of a racl; bar 23 by means of the rod 219, said rack bar having engagement with Va pinion 3.0 which is mounted upon a Shaft 3l for actuating the indicator 32. The indicator 32 moving over the graduated dial 2l, the same as in the preferred form of the invention.

Arranged between the head member 25 and the plunger 27 is an expansion spring 33, one end of which is connected to the plunger' 27. Mounted upon the rod 29 and disposed between the plunger27 and an adjustable plug 3d is a compression spring 35. The plug 3st is adjustable within the inner end of the sleeve 23 in order to taire up the tension lost in the springs 33 and 35 due to the constant use thereof. It will be noted Vthat in the form of the invention shown in `and enclosed within a single sleeve. The adjustable plug may be readily turned by passing an instrument v(not shown) through the opening 36 formed in the retaining plate 37 and inserting the end portion of the instrument in a transverse slot 3ft formed in the plug 34 for increasing the tension or decrease the tension of the springs 33 and 35.

The sleeve 24 includes an inwardly annular flange 24 defining a central passage 25 in alignment with the interior of the tube 26 for receiving the outer end of a. valve stem (not shown) to depress this valve stem to permit the escape of air from the pneumatic tube (not shown) with which the valve stem is associated, and pass into the interior of the tube 26.

In Figure l, I have illustrated another forni of the invention wherein the springs are eliminated and a comparatively heavy tube 38 is arranged within the `outer en d of the sleeve either the sleeve 3 or 23 being used in this form. The inner closed end of the tube 38 bears against the plunger 39 so that when air pressure is passed into the tube the saine will expand and operate the indicator in the same manner as in the other forms of the invention.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that by the use of my improved air gauge, the air pressure in air pump lilies, pneumatic tires or the like may be readily ascertained and the tension of the springs used in connection with the gauge may be readily adjusted.

While lhave shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that various changes and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim is:

l. An air gauge including a casing, a graduated dial carried by the casing, an indicating finger movable over the dial, an operating member for the indicating finger and movable transversely of the casing, opposite aligned sleeves formed as an integral part of the casing, a plunger carried by the operating member at one end thereof and adapted to work in one of the sleeves, an enpansible tube confined in said one of the sleeves, and having a closed end portion in abutment with the plunger, said expansible tube being adapted to be expanded by an air pressure for moving the operating member in a certain direction transversely of the casing, a resilient member embracing the expansible tube for supporting said tube in substantially a straight line, the open end of said tube being disposed eXteriorly of said one of the sleeves, al plunger carried by the operating member at the other end thereof and adapted to work in the other of the sleeves, and a spring member confined in said other of the sleeves and operable upon saidlast mentioned plunger for moving operating member in an opposite direction.

2. An air gauge including a casing, a graduated dial carried by the casing, an indicating finger movable over the dial, an operating member for the indicating linger and movable transversely of the casing, a plunger carried by the operating member at one end thereof and adapted to Work in one of the sleeves, an expansible tube confined in said one of the sleeves, and having a closed end portion in abutment with the plunger said expansible tube being adapted to be expanded by an air pressure for moving the operating member in a certain direction transverselv of the easing, a resilient member embracing the expansible tube for supporting said tube in substantially a straight line, the open end of said tube being disposed exteriorly of said one of the sleeves, a plunger carried by the operating member at the other end thereof and adapted to Work in the other of the sleeves, a spring member Confined in said other of the sleeves and operable upon said last mentioned plunger for moving said operating member in an opposite direction, and an adjustable member threaded into said other of the sleeves and operable upon the spring member for adjusting the tension of said spring member. j

3. An air gauge including a casing, a graduated dial carried by the casing, an indicating finger movable over the dial, an operating member for the indicating linger and movable transversely of the casing, opposite aligned sleeves formed as an integral part of the casing, a plunger carried by the operating member at one end thereof and adapted to Work in one of the sleeves, an expansible tube confined in said one of the sleeves, and having a Closed end portion in abutment with the plunger, said expansible tube being adapted to be expanded by an air pressure for moving the operating member in a certain direction transversely of the Casing, a resilient member embracing the eXpansible tube for supporting said tube in substantially a straight line, the open end of said-tube being disposed exteriorly of said one of the sleeves, a plunger carried by the operating member at the other end thereof and adapted to Work in the other of the sleeves, a spring member confined in said other of the sleeves and operable upon said last mentioned plunger for moving said operating member in an opposite direction,'an adjustable member threaded into said other of the sleeves and operable upon the spring member for adjusting the the tension of said spring member, and an annular inturned flange formed on said other of the sleeves adapted to limit movement of the plunger in said opposite direction.

In testimony whereof I aniX my signature.

FREDERICK STICKEL. 

